If you're 44 and over, did you notice?

[dexteroni]

Aug 15, 2024 9:55:10 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

A lot of what is being posted here is almost certainly all related to loss of estrogen/perimenopause. I joined the menopause subreddit a few months ago, and my eyes are opened. I now think my Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome is also caused by menopause (started 4 months after my last period 2+ years ago).

I'm at the beginning of a quest to get vaginal estrogen (very safe, stays localized) and hopefully topical estrogen of some sort (difficult with my medical history), which is much safer than oral tablets. The Women's Health Initiative study from 2002 wound up shafting a TON of women who's quality of life could have been much improved by HRT. I have learned SO MUCH from that subreddit, there are links to studies and other kinds of info for anyone interested. I have been shocked to learn how many things estrogen effects.

Oh yes, most likely. I need to see if any of the modern hormone replacement options are safe for me. There's a high incidence of breast cancer in my family so I've always just assumed I can't do any. But there are so many more kinds now, maybe there's something I can take. I have an appointment coming up with my breast specialist so I think I'll ask. Thanks for this reminder!

[sproctopus]

Aug 15, 2024 9:15:31 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Get outta here.

Can you delete this entire thread? 🥴

[dexteroni]

Aug 15, 2024 10:09:41 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Aug 15, 2024 9:43:26 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I just turned 47 last week. I feel 45 was the real turning point for me. It's all downhill from here, lol.

Oh after reading the rest of the replies, I'm talking skin/hair stuff, putting on weight, etc. Health wise, I still feel great, don't suffer any joint/back pain, energy levels are okay and mood is good as long as I eat right, exercise, don't drink too much, etc. 

This is what I meant too. I don't have any significant health problems, and while I do have random aches and pains, that only started in my early 50s, and none of them are chronic. I still exercise (in fact I exercise more/harder now because it helps me feel better) and do lots of physical work, and don't feel exhausted or run down on a regular basis. 

[penelope]

At 44 I started needing readers. My distance improved slightly (although it was and still is very bad) but my near declined considerably. I am 48 now and I've always been active and physically fit. I don't notice a difference in that aspect but I have noticed that after a good workout I am more sore when I initially get up from a seated position. But once I'm moving again I loosen up quickly. I would say it was about three years ago that I started really noticing wrinkles. But I also started getting regular facials and got a good skin regimen so if anything, the texture of my skin has improved. Just not the wrinkles around my eyes and my forehead. But I did start to notice the elasticity of my skin around my knees and my chest not being so great. That is an interesting read.

[gummybear]

Oh yeah, prob the biggest thing I noticed was the complete inability to tolerate alcohol. I had a good 5 year+ of liking it less and less but around 45 I was just done. And I don't miss it at all. I think one of the best things about all of this is that around age 44 is when you typically give your last fuck about what anyone thinks of you so changes in appearance, doing old people thing like wearing readers, saying no to drinking while out or declining things bc you'd rather be at home resting etc...the list goes on...it works out nicely

[magma]

YES. I had estrogen driven breast cancer at 40, as part of my treatment had my ovaries removed and was thrown into sudden menopause. BUT didnt really notice any health difference from ages 40-43, could still maintain my weight, joints felt fine, no brain fog, etc.

THEN 43-45 hit and damn it’s downhill. So many joint issues, weight gain around middle that I can’t lose, my brain fog/word recall is for shit. I’m moody, fatigued, and sore all the time. Migraines. Vision sucks. Ughhhh.

[EvieEthelGarland]

I felt a big shift at 38, but that's due to a health issue that resulted in 4 surgeries in 4 months and my company being bought by PE and all that trauma and drama. By my 39th, I was recovered and in a new job and was feeling good again. I noticed my appearance aging quickly when I started Ozempic 2 years ago. I only lost 30 lbs, but all the pudge filling in my lines was gone. I'll take it though! I've had T1 diabetes for almost 40 years and really thought by 50, I'd be nearly done. I am in good control, am not in pain, can eat whatever without GI issues. About the only thing I can complain about is I can't sit cross legged on the floor. When they say to "take a comfortable seat" in yoga class, I really can't.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Aug 15, 2024 9:27:37 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I noticed this at 40. It as like bam! No more wine for you! Heart burn for you! Welcome to middle age dummy.

This is me too.  I'm about to turn 42, and the past 2 years has been full of health issues that make me feel so much older, like joint pain and arthritis, stuff requiring physical therapy, etc. along with my body reacting differently to food, exercise, illness, etc. that happened all at once seemingly once I hit 40

[CrazyLucky]

I was talking to DH about this last night. I turned 44 in 2020, and that is when I really started getting a lot of joint pains. I attributed it to all the stress of everything, but it hasn't gone away. So, despite the study being done on relatively few people for a short time, I buy it and I'm not looking forward to 60!

[CrazyLucky]

Aug 15, 2024 9:55:10 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

A lot of what is being posted here is almost certainly all related to loss of estrogen/perimenopause. I joined the menopause subreddit a few months ago, and my eyes are opened. I now think my Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome is also caused by menopause (started 4 months after my last period 2+ years ago).

I'm at the beginning of a quest to get vaginal estrogen (very safe, stays localized) and hopefully topical estrogen of some sort (difficult with my medical history), which is much safer than oral tablets. The Women's Health Initiative study from 2002 wound up shafting a TON of women who's quality of life could have been much improved by HRT. I have learned SO MUCH from that subreddit, there are links to studies and other kinds of info for anyone interested. I have been shocked to learn how many things estrogen effects.

As to the original question, 44 (8 years ago) is just about the age I was when I started having a lot of trouble concentrating at work. I've been at the same job since 2001 and I just chalked it up to boredome/being in a rut. I don't think that now.

The article I read specifically addressed this, noting that the effect was the same in men and women.
From the article in the OP:

The mid-40s ageing spike was unexpected and initially assumed to be a result of perimenopausal changes in women skewing results for the whole group. But the data revealed similar shifts were happening in men in their mid-40s, too.



“This suggests that while menopause or perimenopause may contribute to the changes observed in women in their mid-40s, there are likely other, more significant factors influencing these changes in both men and women,” said Dr Xiaotao Shen, a former postdoctoral scholar at Stanford medical school and first author of the study who is now based at Nanyang Technological University Singapore.

[nicolewi]

I don't know exactly when it changed; maybe more like 46? But I can tell as of recently (I'm 49.5!) I feel a lot older and I hate it. I still get my period every month but JUST started getting what I think are mild hot flashes...like within the last week or ten days. I didn't think that was going to happen yet?? Not happy about that at all!!! And I feel stiff after a long car ride, getting off the floor, in the morning. Have needed reading glasses a couple years now but just recently had an experience where I literally could NOT read the small print on a bottle without glasses at ALL.

I know I really need to exercise more (starting in fall!!!!) and lose like 20 pounds, so I'm sure that will help, but I do feel older/stiffer. I just started to take a multivitamin again for the first time in years.

I am thinking of talking to doctor re: HRT if this hot flash thing continues. 

Also, I posted earlier re: alcohol...I definitely have less tolerance/weird issues with alcohol that I didn't use to have. Like one drink or maybe two are okay, but any more than that and I'm running a risk of feeling really off. 

[wanderlustmom]

Yes! I feel like I take good care of myself so I know if I didn't--I would have even more things to contend with. I like exercise so I do a lot of cardio, yoga and I'm new to weight lifting.

I'm 49 this year and I can't hang with wine anymore--that just started. I don't even like anything but wine so I don't bother with anything else. But I'm a little sad I can't even have two glasses without feeling off and messing up my sleep.I do love what no booze does for your health though. It also makes my anxiety worse and if I don't drink at all it's like I hardly have anxiety.

I'm reasonably happy with my weight. My eyes are terrible. I need my contacts for distance and I can't see anything close with them in so I need readers. Some aches and pains but yoga takes care of most of that.

I get worse PMS that cardio helps. I definitely feel so much better if I get my eight hours of sleep. Before my mid 40s I could get away with less. Not anymore.

[Aloe Vera]

Aug 15, 2024 10:35:07 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Aug 15, 2024 9:55:10 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

A lot of what is being posted here is almost certainly all related to loss of estrogen/perimenopause. I joined the menopause subreddit a few months ago, and my eyes are opened. I now think my Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome is also caused by menopause (started 4 months after my last period 2+ years ago).

I'm at the beginning of a quest to get vaginal estrogen (very safe, stays localized) and hopefully topical estrogen of some sort (difficult with my medical history), which is much safer than oral tablets. The Women's Health Initiative study from 2002 wound up shafting a TON of women who's quality of life could have been much improved by HRT. I have learned SO MUCH from that subreddit, there are links to studies and other kinds of info for anyone interested. I have been shocked to learn how many things estrogen effects.

Oh yes, most likely. I need to see if any of the modern hormone replacement options are safe for me. There's a high incidence of breast cancer in my family so I've always just assumed I can't do any. But there are so many more kinds now, maybe there's something I can take. I have an appointment coming up with my breast specialist so I think I'll ask. Thanks for this reminder!

The practice I go to released a statement last month (?) about hormone therapy for menopause. Apparently, the studies about the side effects were bogus. Let me see if I can find the exact message he sent.

ETA here is his message:

New News About HRT

A little background ... more than 20 years ago, a study was released by the WHI that changed how hormone replacement therapy was viewed. Even though the conclusions of the study were flawed, there was a huge reduction in the number of women receiving HRT. Because of one misinterpreted study, a generation of women toughed through hot flashes, night sweats, painful sex, urine leakage, low energy, low sex drive, weight gain, depression, and anxiety caused by hormone upheaval. It was/is a horrible way to live.



I really couldn't stand watching women suffer. I read many of the subsequent studies that proved just how wrong the original study's conclusions were. Working with other physicians around the world, I discovered pellet therapy and its incredible effectiveness. We've offered bioidentical pellet therapy in our clinic for years. Women's lives have been changed by it.



Now 20 years after that original study, WHI researchers have updated their analysis. Guess what? The lead investigator said "the [original] WHI findings should not be used a reason to deny hormone therapy" for the management of menopausal symptoms.



I am relieved and delighted that the conclusions from the original study have been debunked. Here's what Dr. Leana Wen said in a recent newspaper article. "Clinicians and patients should learn about how a misinterpreted study led to substandard care for millions of women. They need to spread the word that hormone therapy for menopausal women does not deserve its bad reputation. It never did."



Of course HRT isn't right for every woman. But if you are struggling with symptoms, talk to us. Don't let old (bad) information prevent you from living a better life. There's help and there's hope. There always has been

[picksthemusic]

I'm turning 45 in December and the answer is yes. lol

[devonpow]

I’m about to turn 47 and the last few years have been defined by weight gain (I eat well and exercise every day - no longer matters at all!) and a lot of exhaustion (napping every day). Otherwise not too bad - I do a lot of barre/strength classes to try and keep on top of balance/strength/joint health and I think it helps. My vision has been terrible since I was a kid. I’m pretty pissed that I’ve gained 20 pounds for no reason though. I do t want my second half of life to be super restrictive with no cheese or won’t ever, but I swear as soon as I eat anything other than a vegetable it causes weight gain that I can’t get rid of. It’s really annoying.

[cjcouple]

Yes, although I'd put it closer to 46.

[pinkdutchtulips]

My vision started to go at 44, glasses followed at 46. 

Other than that, I didn't notice any specific declines. 

[moreace01]

I ran my best marathon at age 45.


But after that... it's been downhill. Injured on and off ever since. Vision started to go at 47 but I didn't admit it till I was 48. Everything feels slower now and like it takes more effort. Little things exhaust me (just turned 50).

I started HRT a few months ago and amazed how much I was putting up with. I sleep through the night now and the hot flashes and night sweats are gone.

[mcppalmbeach]

Yes. I am 44 and this year my reading vision took a nosedive and also I went from a little gray to very noticeable gray. And I’m overweight and struggling to fix that. And I don’t sleep well, which impacts my overall mood.

[Nonny]

I turn 45 in a couple of months, and other than bouts of perimenopausal rage and increased brain fog, I haven't really noticed much change, outside of my vision.

I just have my eye exam today and she confirmed my Rx has gotten worse in the last year, and she gave me a 2nd Rx for reading glasses when I rejected bifocals, but I'm not going to get them because I know I won't actual wear them. But I did agree to trial multifocal contacts.

BUT I've been in chronic pain (due to mismanaged migraines and assorted injuries) since puberty, and my vision has been shit since I was ~7. I don't think my pain levels or tendency to hurt myself has gotten any worse than usual (and my migraines have been under control for about a decade now).

[chickadee77]

I think there is likely fluctuation. My mom said that everything went to hell at 40, and my dad said he noticed a huge change between 40-45, then pretty much even keel until 70 when he noticed another huge difference in his cognitive function.

I'm 46, and definitely have seen the aging process take its toll over the past 5 years (gradually) but I also had a kid at 40, so 🤷‍♀️

My H noticed 49/50 as a huge difference. (He's 51)

[underwaterrhymes]

I will say, the fatigue is unreal. I’m so tired all the time.

There wasn’t any noticeable drop off at a particular age that I recognized this, but it’s noticeable.

If you told 29-year old me that 49-year old me preferred to go to bed by 9 (pm, not am) I would have laughed.

[tommygirl03]

48 here. The last 4 years have made me rage. I workout 6/7 days a week. Eat reasonably (aim for 2000 cal, which = my cal burn, for the most part). I have gained 18 lbs since Covid hit, which corresponds to turning 44. I’ve assumed menopause, but I have Mirena, so not definitive, although bloodwork does show the hormone shift. It’s fucking annoying to eat nothing and still gain.

[fryjack2]

43 was when i noticed my body wasn't quite the same. I'm a month shy of 45 and this last year was when Ive noticed the most changes. I ran a marathon in April and it felt so much different than any of the other ones I've run despite similar, if not better training. including the one I ran at 42. I have some gray hairs, my face looks older, my body is wider and softer. More middle aged mom shape and firmness if that makes sense. And so many hormonal appearing changes with how my pelvis and bladder feel, period, etc.

And my knees! I can now understand why Demi Moore had lipo on her knees!!

[fryjack2]

Aug 15, 2024 9:55:10 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

A lot of what is being posted here is almost certainly all related to loss of estrogen/perimenopause. I joined the menopause subreddit a few months ago, and my eyes are opened. I now think my Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome is also caused by menopause (started 4 months after my last period 2+ years ago).

I'm at the beginning of a quest to get vaginal estrogen (very safe, stays localized) and hopefully topical estrogen of some sort (difficult with my medical history), which is much safer than oral tablets. The Women's Health Initiative study from 2002 wound up shafting a TON of women who's quality of life could have been much improved by HRT. I have learned SO MUCH from that subreddit, there are links to studies and other kinds of info for anyone interested. I have been shocked to learn how many things estrogen effects.

As to the original question, 44 (8 years ago) is just about the age I was when I started having a lot of trouble concentrating at work. I've been at the same job since 2001 and I just chalked it up to boredome/being in a rut. I don't think that now.

I've been trying to understand what the pain and discomfort I feel is caused by for 2 years now.  Like I have the start of a uti, but not a uti.  I swear its IC/BPS.  My doc has suggested a few things to help and I go to pelvic floor therapy.  Not because I have weakened muscles and pee myself, but because my muscles are too tight.  My PT mentioned vaginal estrogen, but my doctor won't prescribe it yet.

I try so hard to avoid flares. 

Can you share a link to the reddit thread so I can lurk and read it?

[sadlebred]

At 45 I started falling apart.

[mcsangel2]

Aug 15, 2024 21:14:52 GMT -5 fryjack2 said:

Aug 15, 2024 9:55:10 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

A lot of what is being posted here is almost certainly all related to loss of estrogen/perimenopause. I joined the menopause subreddit a few months ago, and my eyes are opened. I now think my Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome is also caused by menopause (started 4 months after my last period 2+ years ago).

I'm at the beginning of a quest to get vaginal estrogen (very safe, stays localized) and hopefully topical estrogen of some sort (difficult with my medical history), which is much safer than oral tablets. The Women's Health Initiative study from 2002 wound up shafting a TON of women who's quality of life could have been much improved by HRT. I have learned SO MUCH from that subreddit, there are links to studies and other kinds of info for anyone interested. I have been shocked to learn how many things estrogen effects.

As to the original question, 44 (8 years ago) is just about the age I was when I started having a lot of trouble concentrating at work. I've been at the same job since 2001 and I just chalked it up to boredome/being in a rut. I don't think that now.

I've been trying to understand what the pain and discomfort I feel is caused by for 2 years now.  Like I have the start of a uti, but not a uti.  I swear its IC/BPS.  My doc has suggested a few things to help and I go to pelvic floor therapy.  Not because I have weakened muscles and pee myself, but because my muscles are too tight.  My PT mentioned vaginal estrogen, but my doctor won't prescribe it yet.

I try so hard to avoid flares. 

Can you share a link to the reddit thread so I can lurk and read it?

new.reddit.com/r/Menopause/

There is SO much to learn, it's all in the wiki.

I've been in pelvic floor physical therapy for coming up on 2 years now. It took about 4 months to be sure things were improving. I went weekly for 15 months, then biweekly for 8 months. I have an appointment in 10 days then another at the end of September, and then I will be finished with regular visits though I can come back as needed. HIGHLY recommend.

I bought a quantity of home uti tests to monitor, also recommend. If leukocytes are always present, but no nitrates, yep, you have IC. It's a bitch because it can be caused by so many things. When mine came on originally, the pain was so terrible that within 3 days I was suicidal. I had so many urgent care/ER/doctor visits that summer. The only thing that has properly worked for my pain management is gabapentin, and I absolutely don't want to be on that for the rest of my life. However, it has given me my life back and I'm no longer suicidal. Just perpetually in search of answers. Good luck.

ETA: by any chance do you have any autoimmune disorders? There seems to be a way higher incidence of IC in women with AI disorders relating to menopause, apparently.

[jeaniebueller]

I'm 45 and haven't noticed? Other than its harder to loose weight and if I am super active on a day (like being out in the sun all day, super long hikes, on my feet all day), I definitely feel it more the next day than i used to. My eye doc said that by 50, most people need readers and luckily i'm not there yet. I feel pretty good otherwise. I do feel much more willing to go unhinged on people at times (i hold back, lol!) but i blame perimenopause. I had a partial hysterectomy earlier this year and it was the best thing that I did, i love not worrying about bleeding, cramps, etc.

[mrsukyankee]

I noticed around 50. My face seemed to change, my body began to have issues (sleep, achy joints, more injury prone) and I gained weight in a different way (belly popping from top like an old man). I started HRT a year after and that's helped with the sleep and achy bit, not the weight gain. I feel more middle aged now at 55.

[AAM2012]

No…why would I want to read that article?!